Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis with Andrew Limbong

In the collection of essays, How to Be a Living Thing: Meditations on Intuitive Oysters, Hopeful Doves, and Being Human in the World, the writer and artist reflects on the ways animals mirror, challenge, and deepen our experiences as living creatures and how they can teach us to live more fully as humans. This program was held on July 15, 2025. Watch this conversation on YouTube.

In Nice Girls Don’t Win: How I Burned It All Down to Claim My Power, the five-time “Survivor” competitor and breakout star of “The Traitors” shares the stories that allowed her to transform her most difficult moments into catalysts for empowerment, from her childhood growing up in a Florida commune to the L.A. casting rooms that would drop her in the lush but brutal landscapes of “Survivor.” In conversation with Stephen Thompson, a host, writer, and reviewer for NPR Music, and co-host of “Pop Culture Happy Hour.” This program was held on July 10, 2025. Watch the full conversation on YouTube. 

What if we could redefine leadership? In A Different Kind of Power, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand—who became the country’s youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years—reflects on the struggles, triumphs, and deeply personal experiences that shaped her leadership style and what she’s learned along the way. In conversation with Lulu Garcia-Navarro, a two-time Peabody Award-winning journalist, a writer and co-host of “The Interview” for the New York Times Magazine, and an on-air contributor to CNN. This program was held on June 5, 2025 in partnership with Politics and Prose. 

Matchmaker Maria—a fourth-generation matchmaker and podcast host—is here to help with straight-talking advice for attracting and growing the partnership you deserve in Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria’s No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love. In conversation with Andrew Limbong, reporter for NPR’s Arts Desk and host of NPR’s “Book of the Day” podcast. This program was held on June 17, 2025. Watch this full conversation on YouTube.

In Far From Home, the Alaskan senator offers hope for a functional Washington and a fervent appeal for a politics grounded in compromise and compassion. She takes you through the defining moments of her more than twenty-year career—from her Senate appointment to the pivotal events of the Trump era. In conversation with Libby Casey, senior news anchor covering politics and breaking news with The Washington Post. Previously, she was a public radio reporter based in Fairbanks, Alaska. This program was held in partnership with Politics and Prose on June 25, 2025. Watch the full converation on YouTube.

From the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time Is a Mother, as well as the novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, comes The Emperor of Gladness—a novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. In conversation with Nicole Chung, the author of the memoirs A Living Remedy, named a Notable Book by The New York Times, and All You Can Ever Know, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. This program was held on May 19, 2025 in partnership with Politics and Prose.  Watch this conversation on YouTube.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Baking Yesteryear comes Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Roadtrip, a cross-country culinary journey with 100 uniquely American recipes—from the coffee-crazed creations of the Pacific Northwest to the larger-than-life sheet cakes of Texas. In conversation with Emily Heil, a reporter covering national food news and trends for The Washington Post. Watch this full conversation on YouTube.  This program was held on May 21, 2025.

To mark the paperback release of the New York Times bestseller, Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism, former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Stephen Breyer offers a provocative analysis of the textualist philosophy of the current Supreme Court’s supermajority and makes the case for a more pragmatic approach of the Constitution. In conversation with Neal Katyal, former Acting Solicitor General of the U.S. who has argued 52 cases before the Supreme Court. This program was held on May 13, 2025 in partnership with Politics and Prose. 

From the New York Times bestselling author of The House of the Spirits, A Long Petal of the Sea, and The Wind Knows My Name comes My Name Is Emilia del Valle, a historical novel about a young writer who journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself. In conversation with Dr. Jill Biden, who served as First Lady of the United States from 2021 – 2025 and Second Lady of the United States from 2009 – 2017. Dr. Biden is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir, Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself. This program was held on May 7, 2025 in partnership with Politics and Prose.

Building on “SNAFU”—the award-winning podcast about history’s greatest screw-ups hosted by Ed Helms—the actor, comedian, producer, and writer takes you on a wild ride through time that covers the hilarious, head-scratching, and occasionally inspiring blunders that have shaped our world in SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups. In conversation with David Chalian, the Senior Vice President, Washington Bureau Chief, and Political Director for CNN. This program was held on May 1, 2025.